Happily Divorced And After

By Lila Brown | California Black Media
On May 18, the Biden-Harris administration announced the launch of ALL INside, an initiative designed to address homelessness across the country.

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and its 19 participating federal member agencies will partner with state and local governments in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix Metro, Seattle, and California to implement the program.

Ambassador Susan Rice, the White House director of domestic policy, unveiled the program alongside Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough, the chair of USICH; and USICH Executive Director Jeff Olivet. Rice praised the efforts of Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass along with California’s Secretary of Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, Lourdes Castro Ramírez, for being on the front lines of ending unsheltered homelessness.

The partnership aims to reduce homelessness 25% by 2025.

“President Biden firmly believes that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to live, and from Day One, the Biden-Harris administration has taken unprecedented actions to lower housing costs, increase housing stability, and address homelessness,” said Rice, pointing out that many residents facing homelessness include military veterans and youth who have aged out of the foster care system.

“This first-of-its-kind partnership with our Administration will help strengthen and accelerate local efforts in these sites, and communities across America, to ensure every unsheltered person has accesses to the housing they need,” she added.

Several of the ALL INside communities have already received federal resources, with Los Angeles receiving $60 million and other areas in California receiving $36 million.

Leaders from the each of the cities receiving funding were recognized for their clear vision, commitment, alignment of value and effectiveness in tacking the challenges of homelessness by providing holistic solutions.

The federal funding for Los Angeles and other cities in the state comes nearly two months after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $1 billion in homelessness funding for California cities and the launch of a new state program that will build small homes for formerly unhoused people.

After Newsom rejected plans from California cities to address homelessness last November, mayors of the state’s largest cities have now agreed to reducing homelessness by 25% by 2025 in each of their jurisdictions.

With an estimated unsheltered homeless population of 115,000, California is home to nearly half of the people living on the streets, in parks or in other public spaces without permanent addresses in the United States.

Proponents of the All INside program say California state authorities working in tandem with cities such as Los Angeles proves that a “whole-of-government, all-hands-on-deck” approach will assist communities to directly reach residents.

Rice said Bass prioritized homelessness even before her first day in office, recognizing Los Angeles’ first woman mayor commitment to the stubborn crisis that continues to plague California’s largest city.

“This is a historic memorandum of understanding with our cities, said Bass, who directed attention to the work of Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, who leads as the CEO of Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). ALL INside will accelerate Inside Safe’s services already in operation.

“Inside Safe is the way that we have been eliminating street encampments by moving people into motels, but that is a very difficult model to sustain,” continued Bass, describing the challenge of moving people into motels before having to place them into permanent, supportive housing.

“The idea that we, as participating in this (MOU), might be able to look at things like presumptive eligibility that would allow people to be housed right away-instead of spending months while we compile documents and verify that they are in fact in need,” Bass said.

The launch of the multi-city federal investment in fighting homelessness builds on historic support by the Biden-Harris Administration to help states and cities in their local efforts. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) — which represents the largest single-year investment in ending homelessness in U.S. history — helped prevent a surge of homelessness.

Through the Treasury Department’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, the six ALL INside sites have invested more than $2.5 billion in projects focused on reducing and preventing homelessness. Additionally, the ARP provided $5 billion for 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers, which are the first U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) vouchers specifically for people experiencing homelessness beyond veterans.

The ARP also delivered over $21 billion in emergency rental assistance, standing up a first-of-its-kind national eviction prevention infrastructure that has helped 8 million struggling households make rent and pay utility bills, and kept eviction filings below pre-pandemic levels in the 1.5 years after the end of the eviction moratorium.

Castro Ramirez said California-being is only state listed among cities that are beneficiaries of the program because the Golden State has a proven track record of building strong foundations.

“We’re focusing on these Californians because there is a pronounced need and profound opportunities to join forces and take real action,” said Ramírez who described why California is focusing on housing and prevention programs on its most vulnerable populations comprised of unhoused veterans, foster youth, and older adults.

“Gavin Newsom has made solving homelessness and expanding affordable housing top priorities since day one of his administration. We’re addressing this issue with urgency,” Castro Ramirez stated.

Filmmaker Andre K. Jefferson holds “Heartbeat” Short Film Premiere and Mental Health Panel on Saturday, May 20th at Succulent Studios in the city of South Gate. The event was hosted by Marcus Paulk from the UPN show Moesha.

The film and event shined light on the complexity of mental health, the value of suicide prevention, and the power of second chances. Heartbeat is filled with messages of hope and survival while providing an inside look into the mind of a person’s mental health fight.

Also stepping out at the event were cast members Monica Davis, Quentari Walker, Conisha Wade, Tristian Bobo, and Ahmir K. Jefferson.

Event partners included The Los Angeles County Take Action for Mental Health, This is My Brave, KBLA 1580 AM Talk Radio, and African Communities Public Health Coalition.

Head over to www.heartbeatfilmevent.com for more details on where you can watch the short film.

By Lou K Coleman
Wake your behind up and pay attention! All hell is about to break loose! We are hurling towards disaster. A New World Order is emerging, and it will bring about more disorder, more destruction, and more death. Understand, the major battle we face in this life is not what is seen but what is not seen. I tell you, it’s about to get real. As the globalists told us at the outbreak of the virus, “the world will never go back to normal again.”

For the first time in history, every biblical prophecy leading up to the arrival of the New World Order has been fulfilled. What has not been accomplished militarily is being achieved through international trade agreements, illegal immigration, and the influence of a secular media that has become a partner in Satan’s deception.

I tell you, “NOW Is the time to be saved. NOW is a time of mercy.” This is your opportunity NOW! Don’t waste or ignore it. Repent NOW! You’ve been extended a season of grace. No more playing around. No more hypocrisy. It’s put up or shut up time. The terrible day of the Lord is near and swiftly it comes.

As Paul Yelled – Wake Up! Time is running out. It is closer than when we first believed. The night is just about to be over, and it is daytime. [Romans 13:11; Zephaniah 1:14-19]. Be anxious about your soul, because if you are not, remember what Christ said, the lost soul will suffer the most dreadful agonies—and will suffer them forever. The body will suffer with the soul—and be its companion in the most bitter torments to all eternity! Wake Up! For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [Mark 8:34-38].

Physically Awake but Spiritually Asleep! So according as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this day.’ [Romans 11:7-8].

Promoting Access to Services, Open Communication, and Supportive Environments

By Nomsa Khalfani, Ph.D.

It’s natural to want what’s best for your children and to witness the young people raised by or around you grow into healthy, thriving adults. But we all know from personal experience that adolescence can be a challenging time full of physical and emotional changes, peer pressure, and risky behavior.

As a parent and former social worker, I understand the importance of supporting youth during their challenging teenage years. I’ve seen and heard how difficult it can be to navigate this landscape, and today’s kids face even more obstacles than previous generations. From the rise of cyberbullying to the ongoing attack on sexual and reproductive rights, young people must deal with a range of issues that threaten their health and well-being— that’s where we step in.

May is National Adolescent Health Month, an opportunity for adults to be advocates and allies, and acknowledge youth’s essential role in building our communities and shaping the future. It is critical that we, as parents and caregivers, prioritize their health by taking an active role in supporting them to make informed choices. Here are five ways we can provide the environment and support that young people need to achieve optimal health:

Prioritize mental health
Teens can feel misunderstood and dismissed when they try to express their internal struggles to adults, especially when told that they’re being dramatic or over-the-top as a response. We can break the stigma around mental health and show support by actively listening, reassuring them that their feelings are valid, and connecting them with counseling resources and mental health services.

Create a safe space to talk about sexual and reproductive health
Building relationships and creating comfortable environments can help encourage young people to ask questions and seek accurate information on sexual and reproductive health from adults they trust. According to TeenSource, an adolescent health and equity promotion program, over two-thirds of teens in focus groups reported never receiving “the talk” from parents or caregivers. Conversations about health should be ongoing discussions and go beyond the topic of the birds and the bees. It is also important to address topics such as consent, healthy relationships, body image, and diverse sexual identities and experiences.

Discuss and model consent
Consent is essential in all aspects of life, especially regarding sexual health and relationships. We must teach young people the importance of respecting boundaries, asking for consent, and being aware of power dynamics. As advocates of youth, we should set examples and model consent in our interactions with others to help them understand healthy relationships and what they should look like.

Protect access to services and information
We must fight to ensure that teens have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and information, including contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and treatment. Moreover, we must equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the healthcare system and connect to care when needed. Programs like TeenSource help provide a safe space for young people to amplify their voices and seek answers to questions regarding care, sexual health, relationships, and other topics. To learn more, visit teensource.org.

Promote health and safety if sexually active
Sexual activity is a natural part of adolescent development. In addition to ensuring access to services and information, we can support youth in making informed decisions about sexual health by encouraging the use of condoms and other forms of contraception to prevent STIs and unintended pregnancies. We can also promote the importance and safety of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cancer and other health problems that can impede their future.

Supporting adolescent health requires a community effort. We have a vital role in creating a supportive and empowering environment for teens. Let’s work together to ensure that all adolescents have the information, resources, and support they need to be healthy and thrive. For more information on how to communicate openly with youth, visit talkwithyourkids.org.

Nomsa Khalfani, Ph.D., is Co-CEO of Essential Access Health, a non-profit organization that champions health equity and quality sexual and reproductive health care for all through a broad range of programs and services.

By Lue Dowdy

It was a fabulous evening. This past Saturday, The Assistance League of San Bernardino hosted their 61st annual Headdress Ball which took place at the National Orange Show. This year’s theme was, ‘ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IF YOU LET IT’ from the 1964 Mary Poppins Musical Film.

As the only African American model, Mrs. Scott truly represented for the culture and for First 5 San Bernardino. Wearing an extravagant headdress, that lit up showcasing the lovely London sky, the Queen did not miss a beat as she cat walked across the stage in her red heels and satin red gloves with matching sash showcasing the First 5 logo. Her headdress weighed over 20 pounds and was designed by SAM CHIEM. Mrs. Scott even showed off a few dance moves while her backup dancers from Author Murray Dance Studio cut a rug behind her. The choreography of the dancers was conducted by Choreographer, DREW RODRIQUEZ. LUCRETIA DOWDY and TRACI HOMAN of First 5 San Bernardino assisted in coordinating all her rehearsals and getting her ready for the big day.

A live auction was conducted by San Bernardino Councilman, DAMON ALEXANDER from the 7th Ward. Congratulations to FELICIA ALEXANDER as she’ll be stepping into position as the new president for the Assistance league of San Bernardino. Felicia will be the first African American Woman to hold the position. Yep, we’re breaking barriers.

The Assistance League of San Bernardino is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that is committed to providing free service for children with San Bernardino.

Congratulations, Karen Scott on a job well done.

BIO of KAREN SCOTT:

Karen Scott is the Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission – First 5 San Bernardino (F5SB), serving all of San Bernardino County.  F5SB is a funding organization that supports services and systems of care for children prenatal through age 5, by investing revenue received from Prop 10, a tobacco tax initiative in California. Investments are aligned with a locally adopted strategic plan and are made upon approval by a 7-member Commission, which includes a San Bernardino County Board Supervisor, the Associate County Executive Officer, and the Director of the Department of Public Health.

Ms.  Scott’s education and background is in Public Administration and Administration of Justice, and she has worked in the realm of Human Services for San Bernardino County since 1978.  She has served as the Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino for more than 15 years, leading the organization’s efforts to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children, prenatal through age five, though coordinated and comprehensive systems of care that strengthen children, families, and communities, ensuring children are safe, healthy, and ready to enter and succeed in school and in life.

Karen has been married to James Scott for more than 40 years and they share 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren.

For more information about First 5 San Bernardino please visit website at www.First5Sanbernardino.org

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Ephesians New Testament Church will host their Annual City-wide Pentecostal Crusade Revival. Everyone is welcome; there will be great, preaching, music and praise. Come and be revived, renewed, and blessed.

The revival will take place on June 6 to June 8 at 7 p.m. at 9161 Sierra Avenue, Suite #110 in Fontana, California.

For additional information, you may contact the church office at (909) 823-2310, Bishop Emory B. James, Sr. Pastor.

(ABC NEWS) —- Legendary singer Tina Turner, known for her sultry voice and a string of platinum hits, has died at age 83.

The news was confirmed on Turner’s official Facebook page.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner,” the statement said on Facebook. “With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”

Turner became one of her era’s most enduring female artists, with smash hits like “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” and memorable movie appearances.

Rolling Stone once named her “one of the greatest singers of all time.”

Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Tennessee, Turner began performing at a young age. As a teenager, she immersed herself in the local rhythm and blues scene.

In 1956, she met Ike Turner from the band, Kings of Rhythm, and became part of their act under the stage name, Tina Turner.

Together, they recorded hits in the 1960s including, “A Fool in Love,” “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine,” “I Idolize You” and “River Deep — Mountain High” as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

Turner and Ike Turner married in Mexico in 1962, two years after the birth of their son, Ronnie.

Turner also released two solo albums while she was a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue: “Tina Turns the Country On!” in 1974 and “Acid Queen” in 1975.

Turner divorced Ike Turner in 1978, alleging years of physical abuse and infidelity.

In 2018, Turner opened up about the abuse she endured in an interview with The Sunday Times.

“There was violence, because he had this fear that I was going to leave him,” she said. “The other women, because I didn’t love him that way … the other women weren’t so bad, but it was the constant, constant ill treatment.”

In April, she told The Guardian that she wanted to be remembered as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “as a woman who showed other women that it is OK to strive for success on their own terms.”

Turner had four sons. She was preceded in death by her two biological children: Craig Raymond Turner — whom she shared with Raymond Hill — and Ronnie Turner — whom she shared with Ike Turner.

She is survived by her sons Ike Turner Jr. and Michael Turner, who she adopted from her ex-husband Ike Turner.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— SummerFest returns to San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC)!  SBVC is proud to continue this one-of-a-kind partnership with the San Bernardino Symphony celebrating Independence Day.

Join the college for family-friendly fun, festivities and a concert on Thursday, July 1 at the SBVC Football Field from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The concert, titled “America, the Beautiful,” starts at 7:30 p.m. and is expected to draw thousands of attendees. The show ends with Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” and an exciting firework display.

Food vendors, face painters, games, and more are expected at this year’s SummerFest. You don’t want to miss out!

Click to purchase your concert tickets and read more about Summer Fest here!

PASADENA, CA—- The School of Entrepreneurship from the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration at the California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) will be hosting the UpStarters Discovery Camp on campus so high school students can get a first-hand look at the college experience and get a taste of entrepreneurship this summer.

The UpStarters Discovery Camp will run from June 20 to 22, 2023. Student guests will get the chance to stay in the newest dorms at CSUSB and receive 20 hours of intense entrepreneurial insights, develop skills to learn to Think Like an Owner™, and tips for getting the most out of college from a Top 50 Princeton Review ranked academic program. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with local entrepreneurs from different industries.

“This is a rare opportunity for students to get a taste of the college experience on campus in our new dorms,” said Stacey Allis, assistant director of the IECE and lecturer at the CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship. “They will learn real-life skills in innovation and entrepreneurship to apply to any professional level position.”

The two nights and three day-program at CSUSB is $299 per person. For more information visit https://entre.csusb.edu/content/udc. To Register visit https://iece.ticketleap.com/2023udc/.

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

Nathan Carter wore numerous hats while working at McDonald’s restaurants. Eventually, he became the owner of several locations of the fast-food business in Los Angeles.

As a teenager, the Pasadena native prepared food, mopped floors, operated the register, repaired ice cream machines, and cleaned the playpens at McDonald’s locations owned by his father, Norman, a McDonald’s franchisee of 32 years.

The younger Carter enjoyed manning the drive-thru window.

“I loved having a complete shift without any errors in the drive-thru,” he recalled. “I learned and embraced it all.”

Carter worked in finance after graduating from college, but eventually returned to the golden arches business. It wasn’t McDonald’s mouth-watering sweet tea or tasty French fries that caused him to leave his cubicle though, says Carter. Instead, he missed interacting with people.
“I loved the fast pace, the comradery, and the getting to know — not just the people you are working with — but customers as well,” he stated. “I wanted to work alongside my father.”

In 2020, Carter became the owner of a McDonald’s location in Southeast Los Angeles. Currently, he owns three restaurants, while his father owns four. Together, the Carters employ at least 650 people at their McDonald’s restaurants, all located in Los Angeles County.
Carter, the son, is in the locations he owns daily.

“The environment is great,” he said. “We have great relationships and great pride in our employees. If they have any issues, they can come talk to me or my father.”

However, Carter and other owners of Golden State fast food locations like Arby’s, Chick-fil-A, Jack in the Box, and Subway have expressed concern that their hard work and the benefits of running their own profitable businesses could be impacted if Assembly Bill 1228 is passed by the California Legislature  and Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it into law.

The bill, also known as the Fast Food Franchisor Responsibility Act, was authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena). If passed, AB 1228 would require major fast-food businesses and franchisees to share all legal responsibility and liability for the franchisee’s workplace health and safety violations of California Labor Law.

“The bill would authorize enforcement of those provisions against a franchisor, including administratively or by civil action, to the same extent that they may be enforced against the franchisee,” AB 1228’s text reads. “The bill would require that a franchisor has the opportunity to cure a violation after written notice, as prescribed, before civil action may be commenced. The bill would provide that a waiver of the bill’s provisions, or any agreement by a franchisee to indemnify its franchisor for liability, is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable.”

Currently, franchisees have control over operating decisions such as benefits, employee wages, hiring, scheduling, and workplace standards at their restaurants. Holden’s act would force national fast-food corporations to take control over these decisions at franchised locations, according to Stop the Attack on Local Restaurants, a coalition of 115 social justice advocates, restaurant owners, small business owners, and restaurant brands opposed to AB 1228.

Carter, a coalition member, called the bill an attack on franchisees’ rights.

“It takes away the ability to run our business,” he said. “This bill is a detriment to our relationship with our employees, the things we do in our community. If a bill like this passes, we won’t be able to do some of the things we love and are passionate about.”

Rick Callender, the President of the California Hawaii NAACP Conference, has noted that more than 30% of franchised businesses are run by people of color. AB 1228, Callender explained, would rob many Black franchisees, like the Carters, of their livelihoods.

“Legislators should reject this very bad bill,” he stated. “The NAACP won’t allow one of the strongholds for Black business ownership to be attacked in this fashion. AB 1228 will essentially take away Black people and other people of color’s right to operate their local restaurants independently and erasing much of the progress they’ve made to build economic equity and generational opportunity for their families and communities.”

When AB 1228 passed the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee on April 12, Holden, a former franchise owner, said the legislation makes it simpler for franchisees to pay, support, and protect their employees.

“We have the ability to do more for fast food employees by focusing on the relationship between franchisors and their franchisees,” he noted. “I believe many franchisees want to do right by the people that work for them but may not see it as possible under their franchisor’s terms and conditions. This can help to provide some relief while protecting employees and businesses.”

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), an AB 1228 supporter, currently said parent fast food businesses are protected from having to pay damages for violations of employment law.

Holden introduced AB 1228 in February around the same time another bill he penned, AB 257, was successfully opposed by Stop the Attack on Local Restaurants and its supporters.

The provisions in AB 1228 were originally stripped out of AB 257 before Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law last September.

That bill was set to establish sector-wide minimum standards on wages, working hours, and other working conditions. Opponents said the law would increase food costs and cause job losses in the fast-food industry. They gathered enough signatures to overturn the law and have a referendum on it placed to voters on the November 2024 ballot.

AB 1228 is scheduled to be reviewed during the Assembly’s Committee on Appropriations May 18 hearing. Holden is the committee’s chair.

Fast food corporations supply franchisees with food and equipment. Carter said that should be the extent of their relationship.

“The bill is something we all feel is not necessary,” he said. “We do things for our employees; we do things for our communities; and ultimately, we feel this bill is not needed.”